Mudcats Come Back Again Late to Stun Red Sox

Carolina Mudcats 4 - Salem Red Sox 3

Box Score

ZEBULON, NC – The Carolina Mudcats (14-3) once again trailed by a pair of runs in the late stages Wednesday afternoon at Five County Stadium but once again prevailed in a 4-3 comeback win over the Salem Red Sox (6-11). Carolina picked up their league-leading 14th win of the year and have won eight of those contests after trailing early.

Similarly to Tuesday night's affair, both teams were kept off the scoreboard in the early innings thanks to strong starting pitching. Mudcats starter Daniel Corniel went four scoreless to begin his day while Red Sox righthander Matt Duffy did the same. Also like Tuesday night, Salem broke through first as first baseman Albert Feliz ripped a two-run double off the wall in left to put the visitors up 2-0 in the top of the fifth. Corniel departed with two outs in the inning in favor of Yujanyer Herrera (W, 3-0), who struck out Miguel Bleis to end the scoring threat.

Carolina finally broke through against Duffy in the home half of the fifth on one swing. Catcher Blayberg Diaz crushed a fastball over the left field fence for a solo home run to cut the lead to one, his first Single-A home run. Duffy finished his day going five full, allowing the one run on three hits while striking out six.

Herrera pitched a perfect top of the sixth to send the Mudcats back to the plate against Red Sox relief pitcher C.J. Weins. Weins allowed the first three Carolina hitters to reach base, loading the bases for the returning Cooper Pratt. In his first game in nearly two weeks, Pratt laced a game-tying single into right, scoring Reidy Mercado. Next up was Tayden Hall, who grounded into a double play that scored Juan Baez to put the Mudcats in front, 3-2.

Salem tied the game once again in the top of the seventh on a sacrifice fly from Feliz. However, Carolina got the lead off man on in the bottom half when Kay-Lan Nicasia reached on an error by Red Sox pitcher Francis Hernandez (L, 0-2). Nicasia quickly stole second and made it to third on a wild pitch with one away. That set the table for Yhoswar Garcia, who lifted a fly ball to deep center that allowed Nicasia to trot home and give the Mudcats the lead for good.

The one-run advantage was plenty enough for Herrera. The righty retired the final six batters he faced and struck out the side in order in the top of the ninth to secure his third win of 2024, tied for the most in the Carolina League.

Carolina looks to win their third straight to open the series Thursday night at Five County Stadium. NC State Wolfpack point guard DJ Horne will be in attendance and fans will have the chance to get a photo with Horne before the game, or can guarantee a picture and autograph with him through the DJ Horne VIP Experience. Tickets can be purchased at carolinamudcats.com. The Mudcats will start RHP Bishop Letson opposite RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz for Salem. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 PM.

Single-game tickets, season ticket packages, mini plans, group options, as well as luxury suite packages and DRB Homes Sky Lounge reservations in the US Foods Club Level are also still available now by visiting www.carolinamudcats.com, by calling (919) 269-2287, and by visiting the Five County Stadium front office in Zebulon.